Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-11-17
CHAPTER V.

Baudray, Fairfax flew like the wind.
He sped by farmhouse and village with
out stopping. Jeanette breathed hard and
her sides and flank were covered with
foam; but she seemed to be good for miles
yet to come. A magnificent creature she
was, with immense reserve power.
One hour passed and he had revolved the
entire scheme in his mind and came to the
conclusion that it was practicable. Once or
twice, he felt astounded at the daring and
apparent folly of it-especially as he consid-
cred it in connection with himself, the poor
pedagogue whom no one in his own land had
deemed worth second thought.
But this was no time for rejecting upon
the result or the affair itself. He had en-
tered upon it's undertaking now, and every
thing must be action, sharp and decisive;
or ludicrous, yet disastrously overwhelming
defeat-perhaps lifetime ruined.
On, on he dashed, his brain preternatural-
ly clear and active, his muscles stretched to
their utmost tension, his blood coursing
fiercely through his veins. He had a return
journey to make; but he could, no doubt,
procure fresh horse at st. Malo.
In less than one hour and half after
leaving the village he reined up at an
hostler's in that city.
Flinging the lines into the hands of the
gaping stableman, he left the painting jean
nette in the latter's care. To the proprietor
he put the question:
slave you fast, fresh horse?'
'sNot for any such riding as that, sir, !"
was the gruff response.
sLet me look at your best horse" contin-
ued the unabashed Fairfax.
The other wonderingly led him to a stall
where stood fine mare, almost the counter
part of Jeanette.
what is her values" sharply demanded
the American.
Taken at unawares, the man named a
large sum.
Fairfax subtracted it's third from it, put
his hand in his pocket, took out the money
and holding the silver before the owners
face, said, declsvely:
''rll give you that, and only that, for her"
Surprised and tempted by the sight of so
much money, the incautious man assented.
In an instant Fairfax had thrust the coin
in his hand, snatched up a saddle and
bride, hanging near by; put them on the
mare, and was off, like shot, shouting
back to the hostler to keep Jeanette until
called for.
fastening to the telegraph station, he
quickly dispatched two messages which he,
with his usual forethought, had framed, as
he was riding thither.
'.Brown, Bros. & Co., London" ran the
first, e. -- pounds, Zama, per Paris
agents, Immediately, last address, express.
'sR. OXFORD"
The second read as follows:
ssMR. J. G.. NEBBITT, CARE OF LIE TOILET
& Co., PARIS: Imperative necessity de-
mands interview tomorrow, ten a. m. APP
point place of meeting. Answer at once,
please, st. Malo. ARTHUR FAIRFAX"
Turning to the operator he induced that
official, by brides and limitations of the i'm
portant nature of the business, to 'rush''
the messages with display of energy that
aroused the wondarment Of the apathetic
receiver at the central Office in Paris.
1t was now nearly eleven o'clock. The
answer from the London bankers, as Fair
fax expected, came Immediately.
stOrder attended to at once"
Half-past eleven - twelve - haf-past
twelve and, finally, one o'clock struck
That message must not miscarry.
Fairfax ordered it repeated and returned,
again, from the Paris Office, with the as
surance that it had been properly delivered.
And. finally, he sswired' the banking firm
of he Toilet & Co., asking why Neboitt did
not reply.